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Although construction of the new Science Building has been completed (see related story), construction and planning on other projects continue.

The current construction project on campus, the International Trade and Technology Building, will be home to the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center and the Data Center Affiliate. It has a contracted completion date of the end of January, but it may be finished before then.

"It is progressing very well," said Roy Ruiz, director of facilities planning and construction. "It is probably about a month ahead of schedule right now."

The next construction project slated to begin is an addition to the University Library. The three-story addition, which is expected to cost $7.4 million, will be located on the west side of the current University Library. It will hold the rapidly growing collection of books, the library's technical service functions, study areas for library users, and two computer instruction classrooms with teleconferencing and distance education capabilities.

"We're shooting for a Sept. 16 groundbreaking," Ruiz said.

Renovation of the "old" Science Building, with a projected cost of $5.7 million, is the next construction project on the schedule.

"We are completing the design development, and we anticipate starting work on that job in January," Ruiz said.

Planning also is continuing on a new Student Union. The students voted in March to approve the establishment of a fee for construction of the building. They will be charged $30 per long semester and $15 each summer session, but not until the facility is built.

A location for the building has not yet been determined. A Student Union Advisory Board will convene beginning in the fall semester to work with architects in deciding the location and design of the building and to determine policies and procedures for its use.